UniFiji and the University of Bradford intend to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the Peace Studies Programme

The University of Fiji and the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom plan to sign a Peace Studies Program Memorandum of Understanding to establish an academic relationship in the field of peace studies and international development.

In a statement, UniFiji says the University of Bradford has gained international recognition for its pre-eminent peace studies programme.

UniFiji says the two universities believe this partnership will make a significant contribution to the global discourse on international peace and development.

UniFiji Vice Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem says the institution’s partnership with the University of Bradford was conceived in response to a visit by Senior Professor Dr Colins Imoh from the Department of Peace and International Development Studies along with other academics from renowned British universities.

Professor Shameem says the visit was facilitated by the UK’s Commonwealth and Development Office, with support from Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

She says the main objective of the visit was to produce research that would benefit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its pursuit of the Pacific as a zone of peace, both within and outside Fiji.

Professor Shameem says this aligns with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s proposal for an “Ocean of Peace” as a vision for the Pacific region, which he urged the rest of the world to embrace.

Professor Shameem pointed out that they have always prioritized peace as an essential component of its educational curriculum because of the foundation of the university’s human values ​​in education.

Professor Vishanth Weerakkody, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Engagement and Partnerships at the University of Bradford, says they have been educating and shaping the careers of global leaders for five decades.

Meanwhile, Professor Shameem will attend the 50-year conference at Bradford University on June 8 to celebrate peace and commemorate efforts to end the conflict.